Ice tray



A; E COLE Jan. 9, 1945.

ICE TRAY Filed Oct. 23, 1941 INVENTOR 7 lr' fale.

ATTORNEYS.

Patented Jan. o, 1945 UNITED. STATES PATENT OFFICE 3 3:; I Ai'thur .E.Cole, Detroit, Mich. Application October 23, 1941, Serial No. 416,150

, 13 Claims.

This invention relates to freezing receptacles and more particularly toan ice tray having a plurality of independent ice cube molds.

It has been customary heretofore to fabricate ice tray grids and pansfrom sheet metal in such a manner that a removable grid is provided todivide the space within the pan into a plurality of ice blockcompartments of suitable size for domestic use. In an effort to minimizethe quantity of metal or other materials employed, efforts have beenmadeto increase the ratio of the ice block forming area per unit of metalemployed in the grid structure.

I have found that very satisfactory results can be obtained by employinga skeleton framework adapted to receive a plurality of separate iceblock molds of suitable size to provide a plurality of in-.

dependent ice blocks of convenient size for domestic use.

An object of this invention is therefore to provide an ice formingreceptacle having a. framework dividing the space within the receptacleinto a plurality of moldspaces to receive independent cube formingreceptacles.

A further object of the invention resides in the provision of an icetray grid having large ice forming area per unit of metal employed inthe grid structure.

Another object resides in the provision of a skeleton framework fprmingbottom and side walls of an ice tray grid and a removable partitioningelement adapted to divide the space within the framework into aplurality of mold compartments of convenient size for domestic use.

Still a further object of the invention resides in the provision ofremovable receptacles having high calendered. surfaces adapted toreceive a liquid to be frozen to form ice blocks of relatlvely smallsize which may be readily removed from the receptacles du to the highcalendered surfaces of the receptacles.

moved to adapt the frame member for the reception of a single relativelylarge'receptacle.

Other objects and advantages of this invention will be apparent from thefollowing detailed description considered in connection with theaccompanying drawing, submitted for purposes of illustration only, andnot intended to define the scope of the invention, reference being hadfor that purpose to the subjoined claims.

In the drawing wherein similar reference characters refer to similarparts throughout the several views:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a device embodying the invention.

Fig. 2 is a perspective view illustrating the framework of Fig. 1 havinga single receptacle positioned therein.

Fig. 3 is a view similar to Fig. 1 illustrating a modified form of theinvention.

Fig. 4 is a perspective view of one of the in dividual ice blockreceptacles.

Before explaining in detail the present invention it is to be understoodthat the invention is not limited in its application to the details ofconstruction and arrangement of parts illustrated in the accompanyingdrawing, since the invention is capable of other embodiments and ofbeing practiced or carried out in various ways. Also it is to beunderstood that the phraseology or terminology employed herein is forthe purpose 7 of description and not of limitation, and it is notintended to limit the invention claimed herein beyond the requirementsof the prior art.

Referring now to Figs. 1 and 2, it will be observed that the inventionis illustrated as embodied in a grid structure having a framework Informed of wire or other strip material-of suitable proportions. Theframework I0 is formed with end members I! and side members It. A pairof spaced longitudinally extending strip members l6 and I8 havinggenerally vertically extending por- Another object of the inventionresides in the provision of a novel method of forming ice blocks whereinindividual ice block receptacles areremovably positioned in a frameworkhaving receptacle receiving compartments to form individual receptaclesand wherein the receptacles are promember into a plurality of relativelysmall mold receiving compartments or which may be retions 20 and 22suitably'secured to the end members I! as by a spot welding process areprovided to support ice blocks. g H.

- The space within the frameworkiq'and ab e the strip members l5 and I8may be divided a plurality of i c e lglock compartments of ,conven; ientsize for domesticeuse by a removableframe' work 24 formed of stripmaterial such for ex-, ample as wire. The framework 24 preferably has acentrally disposed longitudinally extending member 26 having a hookedportion 28 adapted to engage one of the end members .12 at an inwardlybent portion 30 substantially midway between the side'members I4 of theframework t i'oris 2'0 and 22 and the end member [2.

It. The other end of the longitudinally extending member 26 i providedwith a downwardly extending portion 32 having a-backwardly projectingportion 34 adapted to snap over the end member I2 at abent portion 36positioned ap- It will be understood that if desired more than onelongitudinally extending member 26 may be provided to divide the spacewithin the framework l into a desired plurality of laterally ments 42may then be positioned within the compartments 40 torest upon thelongitudinally extending strips l6 and I8. The mold compartments 42 aremaintained in separated relation by the framework 24 and are supportedin part by the framework Hi. When a desired number of independentreceptacles 42 have been inserted remove the ice blocks from the gridstructure,

spaced rows of mold compartments 40. It willpendent mold receptacles 42or the container or pan to receive the independent mold receptacles 42may be either of the thermoplastic or thermosetting type and preferablyhas a relatively high calendered surface whereby absorption of waterinto the pores of the material is minimized. Where a paper material isused to form the independent ice mold compartments 42, it has been foundthat good results are obtained where a relatively high calendered paperis provided to give a relatively smooth finish. If desired, the surfaceof the paper can be treated by a water repellent substance such forexample as petrolatum or other substance having the properties ofrepelling water at temperatures encountered during the freezingoperation and being relatively hard at normal room temperatures to avoidbeing wiped off upon handling.

The receptacles 42 may be provided with an outwardly extending lip orprojection forming a handle 44 whereby the individual mold receptaclescan be grasped to remove them from the grid structure. the top of eachof the receptacles 44 to overlie the side members l4, the longitudinallyextending member 26 and the transversely extending members 38 of thegrid structure to assist in maintaining the grid members in assembledre-- lation.

The framework gltudinally extending handle portion 48 suitably attachedto one of the endmembers l2 as by a A-bead 46 may be formed adjacentmaybe provided with a lon- I spot welding operation. If desired the handlemember 48 may be attached to the vertically extending portions 20 and 22of the strip members l6 and I8, or may be attached to both the portheoperation of this device, when it is de- A plurality of independent icemold compartthe handle 48 may be grasped and elevated to release thegrid structure from the supporting surface of the freezing compartmentof the refrigerator. It will be noted that the longitudinally extendingstrips I6 and 18 engaging the supporting surface of the refrigeratorcompartment have relatively small surface area whereby the grid.structure may be readily released from the evaporator.

If desired, the strips l6 and I8 may be treated with a water repellentsubstance to minimize the adhesion of the grid structure to therefrigerator shelf. It will also be apparent that if desired the otherportions of the frameworks ill and 24 may be suitably treated with waterrepellent substances to facilitate the release of the receptacles 42from the grid structure.

After the grid structure has been released from the supporting surfaceit may be removed from the freezing compartment. If it is desired torelease allof the cubes, the downwardly extending portion 32 of thelongitudinally extending member 26 may be elevated to disengage the bentportion 36 of the end member I2. The framework 24 may then be removedfrom the framework III of the grid structure. All of the ice block molds42 will then be released and will remain supported on the longitudinallyextending strip members l6 and I8. Any desired number of molds 42 maythen be removed from the grid structure and the ice' blocks removed fromthe hold structures 42 for use. I have found that the ice blocks may bereadily released from the mold elements 42 if. the mold elements areinverted and flexed slightly by exerting a slight pressure on theirbottom.

If less than all of the ice blocks are desired for use at one time thegrid may be only partially removed from the evaporator or freezingcompartment of the refrigerator. The desired number of ice blocks may beprocured by elevating the individual ice block molds 42 by grasping theindividual handles 44 or by exerting an upwardly directed pressure onthe bottom of the mold elements 42 adjacent the longitudinally extendingstrips H5 or [8.

The individual ice block molds 42 may be used over and over,again sincethe operation of freezing ice therein does not materially deterioratethe material of which they are formed.

Referring now to Fig. 2, it will be noted that the framework III of thegrid structure may be employed to receive a single container 50 wherebylarge volumes of material can be frozen in a single mass, such forexample as when it is desired to make frozen desserts, ice cream, etc.The container 50 may be formed with fluted side walls 52 whereby it maybe readily deformed to fit the space within the grid structure. A supplyof individual ice block molds 42 and containers 50 or receptacles whichbecome damaged during use. The embodiment of the inventionillustrated inFig. 3 is similar in many respects to that'illustrated in Fig. 1.Corresponding parts have therefore been given corresponding numeralswith the addition of I00.

It will be noted that a plurality of longitudinally extending relativelynarrow strip members I60 and IE2 are provided to receive and support theindividual ice block compartments 2. The strip members I60 are operablyconnected to the end members 2 by means of bent portions I64 suitablyconnected to the end portion 2 in any desired manner as by a spotwelding operation.

The members I82 may be similarly attached to the end member H2 by bentupwardly extending portions I66.

1. An ice tray comprising a plurality of generally longitudinallyextending spaced supporting members, generally vertically extendingsegments carried by the supporting members, a generally rectangularshaped framework operably connected to the vertically extending segmentsand positioned to lie in the horizontal plane spaced vertically abovethe supporting members, a partitioning member having intersectinglongitudinal and transversely extending segments adapted to bedetachably connected to the generally rectangular shaped framework todivide the space within the framework and above the supportingmembersinto a plurality of separate compartments, ,and a plurality ofindependent ice block molds removably positioned within saidcompartments 'to form ice blocks of convenient size for domestic use.

2. An ice cube forming device comprising generally longitudinallyextending bottom supporting members and a generally rectangular shapedframe positioned vertically above the supporting members, a framework todivide the space within the rectangular shaped frame into rectangularmold receiving spaces, and a plurality of removable individualrectangularly shaped ice block molds in said mold receiving spacesadapted'to rest on said members.

3. An ice tray comprising a plurality of longitudinally extending spacedsupporting members, generally vertically extending segments carried bythe supporting members, a framework operably connected to the verticallyextending segments and positioned to lie in the horizontal planepositioned vertically above the-supporting members, a partitioningmember having intersecting longitudinal and transversely extendingsegments adapted to be detachably connected to the framework to dividethe space within the framework and above the supporting members into aplurality of separate compartments, and a plurality of independentlyremovable ice block molds formed of plastic material removablypositioned within the separate compartments to form ice blocks ofconvenient size for domestic use. I

4. An ice tray grid comprising a framework having side and end members,generally longitudinally extending bottom supporting members operablyconnected to the end members, a frame structure dividing the spacewithin the framework into a plurality of rectangularly shaped moldcompartments, and a plurality of rectangularly independently removabletherefrom.

5. An ice block forming device comprising a framework having side andend members, bottomsupporting members operably connected to certain ofsaid members, a frame connected to the framework fordividing the spacewithin the framework into a plurality of independent mold compartments,and a plurality of independent removable molds resting on said bottomsupporting members and in the spaces between the frame and framework.

6. An ice tray grid comprising a framework having 'side and end members,generally longitudinally extending bottom supporting members operablyconnected to the end members, a frame structure dividing the spacewithin the frame-. work into a plurality of rectangularly shaped moldcompartments, and a plurality of rectangularly shaped molds removablyresting on said supporting members and in said mold compartments andindependently removable therefrom.

7. An ice cube forming device comprising a framework having side and endmembers, longitudinally extending supporting members operably connectedto the end members, a removable frame detachably connected to theframework for dividing the space within the framework into a pluralityof independent mold compartments, and a plurality of independent moldsadapted to form ice cubes of convenient size for domestic use and in thespaces between the frame and framework, the framework upon removal ofthe frame being suitable to receive a single relatively large mold, tofreeze a relatively large volume of a substance in a single block.

8. An ice block forming device comprising a generally rectangularframework having the four sides thereof formed of wire members, aplurality of flat sheet metal bottom members extending across andconnected to opposite sidesof the framework, grid means dividing thespace within the framework into separate mold receiving spaces, and aplurality of separate individually removable molds resting on saidbottom members and within said spaces.

9. An ice block forming device comprising a generally rectangularframework having the four sides thereof formed of members, a pluralityof metal bottom members extending across and connected to two oppositesides of the framework, grid means dividing the space within theframework into separate mold receiving spaces, and a plurality ofseparate individually removable molds resting on said bottom membersand" within said spaces. 7

10. An ice tray grid comprising a framework having sideand end members,generally longitudinally extending bottom supporting members operablyconnected to the end members, a frame structure dividing the spacewithin the framework, said supporting members and said frame structureforming with said framework a plurality of rectangularly shaped moldreceiving and supporting recesses for removably receiving a plurality ofindependent rectangularly shaped molds.

11. An ice tray grid combination comprising a framework having sideframe members forming the four sides thereof, bottom supporting membersoperably connected to two opposite side frame members, a frame structuredividing the space within the framework, said supporting members andsaid frame structure forming with said framework a plurality ofrectangularly shaped mold receiving and supporting recesses forremovably receiving a plurality of independent rectangularly shapedmolds with their botplurality of rectangularly shaped molds ofdimensions to be removably received in said recesses with the bottoms ofthe molds resting onsaid supporting members, said molds being independ-'entlyremovable from said recesses.

12. An ice tray grid comprising a framework having side frame membersforming the four sides thereof, bottom supporting members operablyconnected to two opposite side frame members. a frame structure dividingthespace within the framework, said supporting members and said framestructure forming with said framework a plurality of rectangularlyshaped mold receiving .toms resting on said supporting members, and a yand supporting recesses for removably receiving a plurality ofindependent rectangularly shaped within said spaces.

- AR'IIHUR E. COLE.

